Stories from Saturday, February 12, 2022

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Sawyer Smith, a local attorney at Mayer Law Office in Dexter, Missouri, has announced he is campaigning for Stoddard County prosecuting attorney. The announcement came via social media. "The campaign I am announcing to you today is about 'justice for all' and the best public service to everyone," Smith said in his release...

Old Town Cape executive director Liz Haynes told Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee attendees public and private investment in Cape's downtown business district exceeded $18 million in 2021. Haynes, who spoke at Century Casino's event center, also shared additional points based on last year's data:...

After two years of planning, research and community collaboration, the Saint Francis Healthcare System Foundation hosted a groundclearing and blessing ceremony for South Side Farms on Friday. The estimated $20 million project will bring an urban farm, affordable housing, child care, education facilities and more to Cape Girardeau's south side...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- While 30 federal agents began investigating a fire that destroyed the Mississippi County Courthouse, the Mississippi County Commission yesterday reached an agreement to set up shop in a nearby office building; it will take the various county offices about a week to move into 10 offices at 801 E. Marshall, says Presiding Commissioner Jim Blumenberg...

PUXICO, MO. -- Carroll and Rozelle Cookson of Puxico celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Dec. 1, 2021, with a small reception hosted by their children. Carroll and Rozelle were married Dec. 1, 1956, in Texas. The couple have three children, Steve (Joy) Cookson, Lesa (Jon) Murray and Lorie (Don) Grossheider. They also have several grandchildren and great-grandchildren...

Dr. Rodney and Pamela Pensel of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Katelynn Pensel of Jackson, to Aaron Griffin of Bertrand, Missouri. He is the son of Scott and Laura Griffin of New Madrid, Missouri. Katelynn is a 2015 graduate of Jackson High School and received a bachelor's degree in biology in 2019 from Southeast Missouri State University. She is working on a second bachelor's degree in agribusiness...

Terry W. Kitchen Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School second quarter Terry W. Kitchen Cape Central Junior High School A Honor Roll 7th grade: Charles Adams, Alyscia Baker, Grace Baker, Riya Baldwin, Henry Bertrand, Alannah Bierbaum, Dylan Boyer, Makayla Brockmire, Layla Burgfield, Allie Cairns, Morelia Chanocua, Joseph Charlton, Zainab Chaudhry, Abigail Coonts, Kaiden Cracraft, Kolby Cunningham, Morgan Curtis, Akitha Dias, Zachary Dowdy, Madilyn Dunham, Warner Durham, Jacob Easley, Gabriel Edger, Fletcher Everett, Elaina Fayyad, Pippa Felty, Rita Feng, Corinna Fisher, Ariadne Flores, Sydney Ford, Sophia Gant, Aubrey Giannini, Finnegan Gorman, Evan Hall, Robert Henry, Aubrey Hethcote, Sarah Higgins, Aubrie Holloway, Peyton Koch, Logan Margetta, Ella McGowan, Ayden McGuire, Kristian Murdock, Kasyiah Neighbors, Mason Oliver, Yuliana Orellana-Peralta, Kaia Poole, Michael Reyes, Kennedy Ringwald, Maybry Shaver, Ryan Slinkard, Nala Smith, Aidan Snell, Michael Snider, Katelyn Southard, Olivia Spratt, Jakob Stepp, Addison Suhre, Khalida Sumbal, John Trueblood, Camille Wersel, Jason Zhang.. ...

High Honor Roll 9th grade: Paris Altorfer, Camden Chamberlain, Maddelyn Cohn, Graycie Conklin, Lane Holder, Lilyan Landis, Jude Phillips, Miranda Schusler, Ramsey Spinks, Harper Spurgeon, Shayla Sterling, Alyssa Stone, Gabriela Streiler, Isabella Young...

3rd grade: Chloe Hahn, Sydnee Holland, Colton Kilburn, Shane Pace,, Emma Ramsey, Neavah Reyna, Reagan Tyra. 4rth grade: Hayden Allen, Sophie Arnold, Layne Bramlett, Josie Burke, Asher Cox, Mili Fuemmeler, Jaxon Graviett, Brooklyn Hale, Raelyn Holland, Hayden Hollis, Lane Holmes, Urijah Meyer, Zander Roberts, Hayden Schrum, Olivia Smith, Alaina Trankler, Ashlynn Wicker...

Saxony Lutheran High School First semester With High Distinction 9th grade: Margaret Hillin, Anthony Kearns, Wesley Kiehne, Tristan Leggett, Grace Petzoldt, Evan Respondek, Lilly Roth, Myra Roth, Lauren Sheriff, Erin Spencer, Amelia Wilson, Jackson Wilson, Rebekkah Yunck...

Blanchard Elementary School A Honor Roll 3rd grade: Muhammad Ali, Skyler Anderson, Jada Bland, Elijah Brink, Indigo Criglar, Alyssa Heflin, Daven Mills, Vada Miner, Colin Schroeder, Mercedes Toeniskoetter, Isaac Torres, Willow Rieger, Kenny Wills. 4th grade: Quentin Brantley, Christian Edenfield, Karmah Jones, Jocelyn Lucas, William MacKenzie, Miya Pattengill, Ariauna Plambeck...

A Honor Roll 12th grade: Tracy Antill, Jordan Babers, Evian Baker, Casey Barwick, Caleb Bertrand, Angela Binn, Bryce Blair, Delaney Boyer, Rachel Breeding, Wyatt Brinkoff, Raquel Brock, Jalee Brumbaugh, Martasia Carter, Isabella Dennis, Riley Dougherty, Olivia Garagnani, Jai'lyn Garmon, Savannah Greenwood, Mariah Griffith, Ethan Groves, Owen Groves, Abigail Hansen, Gia Hawkins, Jahyrion Hempstead, Zachary Hess, Benjamin Honza, Emma Horrell, Samuel Hwang, Kwilon Johnson, William Jones, Jolie Kidd, Olivia Langston, Lamiyah Mackins, Zachary Marberry, Zachary Mattison, Zoe Mayfield, Malayna McAllister, Kenneth McDonald, Ethan McMillan, Cade McNeely, Kaitlyn Melton, Logan Mizicko, Connor Moore, Gage Moore, Ava Nelson, Ryder Nesler, Sydne Newman, Elizabeth Ogburn, Mackenzie Ramdial, Anastasia Reinier, Jackson Rieger, Caroline Robison, Andrew Roth, Alyssa Rueseler, Jackson Rusten, Sophia Sapp, Nicholas Schmidt, Reese Sides, Ashley Simmons, Abigail Simon, Allison Smart, Jalee Spain, Zander Stewart, Anna Stricker, Lydia Strickland, Dymon Taylor, Ty Thatcher, Elias Theall, Ty'Maya Thornton, Ella Vogel, Laniah Webster, Phoenix Wilkins, Tambria Wilson, Breiana Wright, Esperanza Zalite.. ...

Meridian Junior and Senior High School High Honor Roll 6th grade: Solarah Acree, Arynn Casper, Tyrese Cleaves, Baylea Crain, Ravynn Farmer, Joy Green, Aaliyah Henderson, Janay Houston, Clarence Jackson, Devin Jones, Kynadei Martin, Addison Maupin, Nandel Rodriguez, Malachi Turner...

Clippard Elementary School A Honor Roll 3rd grade: Omar Almouged, Claire Boyer, Kenia Quintas Chavez, Cecelia Evans, Aiden Garrett, Tinsley Griggs, Nicholas Kimmel, Malakhi Pearson, Ellie Ribbing, Lauren Richards, Dax Robison, Elynn Smith, Claire Stewart, Ezri Tobey, Jase Yamada, Aaron Zhang...

Jackson High School First Semester Scholastic Honor Roll 11th grade: Madelynn Adams, Madalyn Auer, Sydney Beussink, Benjamin Bollinger, Aubrey Brothers, Eva Carrasquillo-Wilkinson, Eli Clubbs, Mariena Collins, Kyle Craigmiles, Layne Gross, Anna Lacy, Preston LaFave, Noah Lynch, Rebekah Mansfield, Tormey McManaman, Sadie Middleton, Hannah Mitchell, Justi Nelson, Bailey O'Neal, Chloe Sadler, Logan Sansoucie, Kasidis Saysanan Na Ayudhya, Ethan Thomas, Ella Turner, Maci Wendel...

Monday: Chicken Parmesan with whole-grain pasta and sauce or meatballs and gravy with mashed potatoes, Italian-blend veggies, garden salad, garlic bread and chilled peaches or cherry cheesecake. Tuesday: Sloppy Joe or pork chop with gravy, steamed broccoli, bun or hot roll and Mandarin oranges or banana pudding with cookies...

n Megan Schnitz of Jackson was named to the Concordia University Wisconsin Fall Honors List for the 2021-2022 academic year. To be eligible for the honor, students must achieve a minimum 3.60 GPA. n Ally Ochs of Cape Girardeau was named to the University of Utah fall dean's list...

PUXICO, Mo. -- Be prepared to spend time walking, waiting and hoping the ducks will cooperate. Dress appropriately for the cold and don't lose confidence. On this morning, I took several second-rate photos of ducks before I finally got this one. These mallards were swimming in the thick, flooded grass. ...

A breakfast and bake sale will be held from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday at St. Joseph Parish in Apple Creek. The menu includes sausage, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, biscuits and gravy, fruit, homemade coffee cake and beverage. Carry-outs will be available. Handicapped accessible entrance is at the back of the building. Sponsored by the church men's club...

Without a moral compass, it is difficult for many people to make a distinction between an opinion and a principle. We have leaders on all levels making decisions that do not seem logical, and they are enforcing rules that do not apply to themselves. ...

Valentine's Day is Monday. Time is running short to make an Valentine's Day impression on the ones you love. Men, let me give you some unsolicited advice. There are three days a year, four if you are married, you need to show up and demonstrate you care: birthday, Christmas, anniversary if married and Valentine's Day. Yes, I know those flowers die. Doesn't matter. Flowers die, your truck will rust out, show the one you love you care about them. Anyway, back to the column...

It was a couple weeks ago I got up like normal and felt fine. I had my usual first two coffees just like normal. Marge was still sleeping in, so I went for the four-wheeler and drove around checking on our calves and the water. No big deal. I drove up in front of our house and was heading to the house and got sick. ...

WASHINGTON -- President Joe Biden signed an order Friday to free $7 billion in Afghan assets now frozen in the U.S., splitting the money between humanitarian aid for poverty-stricken Afghanistan and a fund for Sept. 11 victims still seeking relief for the terror attacks that killed thousands and shocked the world...

WASHINGTON -- The White House said Friday that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could come within the week, possibly within the next two days, and urged Americans to leave the country now. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the U.S. still did not know if Russian President Vladimir Putin had made a decision to invade, but that all the elements are now in place for a rapid incursion...

CAPE GIRARDEAU Cape Girardeau Police Department responded to the following calls. Arrest does not imply guilt. Arrests n A warrant arrest was reported on Maple Street. n A warrant arrest was reported on Independence Street. n A warrant arrest was reported on Aquamsi Street...

STURDIVANT, Mo. -- Marilyn A. Burnett, 80, of Sturdivant died Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, at Advance Nursing Center in Advance, Missouri. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill, Missouri, was in charge of arrangements...

A group of landowners has vowed to fight a proposed legislative amendment filed by state Sen. Peter Kinder that would allow Cape Girardeau and Bollinger county voters to decide if a recreational lake should be built; more than 100 people whose property would be affected if a 7,700-acre lake were built on the boundary of the two counties near Millersville met last night at the Millersville School to discuss a letter-writing campaign aimed at opposing Kinder's amendment...

Daughter to Hunter and Michelle Fulbright of Marble Hill, Missouri, Southeast Hospital, 7:33 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. Name, Hadlee Grace. Weight, 7 pounds, 4 ounces. Fourth child, second daughter. Mrs. Fulbright is the daughter of Blake Nuzzo of Rawlins, Wyoming, and the late Leeona Baldassaro. Fulbright is the son of Dana Fulbright and Bodie Fulbright of Marble Hill...

Walter James "Buddy" Wright, 95, of Cape Girardeau passed away Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, at Chateau Girardeau. He was born July 6, 1926, in Blytheville, Arkansas, to Walter Samuel and Bronical Pankey. Buddy joined the Marine Corps when he was 16 years old. ...

MARSHALL, Texas -- Ruth Jean Smith Wells -- Jean, as she was known to her family and friends -- 92, died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, at the home of her daughter in Marshall. Texas had been home for the past three years. She was born near Benton, Missouri, Dec. 24, 1929, to Jake B. and Pansy Lane Smith...

Doris Jean Taylor went to her heavenly home Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. She was born March 13, 1936, in Elco, Illinois, to Henry and Hazel Burchett Gearing. She married Don "Zach" Taylor on Nov. 25, 1955. Doris was a stay-at-home mom for years as she lovingly raised their three children. After the death of her husband, she worked as a cook for several years at Parkwood Manor, and after that she cooked for 10 years at Southeast Hospital, retiring in 2003...

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. -- Walter W. Reed, 76, of Fredericktown died Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, and from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday at Ford and Young Funeral Home in Perryville, Missouri...

Allen John Mossmayer II, 63, of Jackson died Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. Memorial service will be at 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Full military honors will follow...

Elizabeth Jane Hicks, 81, of Jackson died Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, in Jackson. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau, with funeral to immediately follow. Entombment will be at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau...

CENTRALIA, Ill. -- Helen J. Hensley, 89, of Centralia passed away Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, at Centralia Manor. She was born May 17, 1932, in Newton, Idaho, the daughter of Floy E. and Imo K. Bayles Ekin. She married Howard "Clif" Hensley on Sept. 27, 1950, in East Moline, Illinois, and he preceded her in death July 15, 2010...

Dennis G. Enyart, 69, of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, at his home. He was born Aug. 25, 1952 in Pryor, Oklahoma, to Donald and Millie Ragsdale Enyart. He and Donald E. Cox Jr. were married Aug. 14, 2015, in Cape Girardeau. Dennis retired from banking and most recently retired from Mondi in 2017. He was a member of the Cape Girardeau Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 3775...

Bettye Crockett, 86, of Cape Girardeau passed away Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at Fountainbleau Lodge. She was born Jan. 17, 1936, in Bolivar, Tennessee. Bettye studied business administration at Southeast Missouri State University. She then served as a professional secretary to the Dean of College at Southeast Missouri State University from April 1981 to April 2002...

Roy L. Beck, 88, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Sikeston, Missouri, passed away Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, at Southeast Hospital. He was born Nov. 28, 1933, in Sikeston to the late Roy M. and Ethel M. Johnson Beck. Roy and Beverly Andres were married Jan. 8, 1955, in Sikeston...

Lord Jesus, may we trust in you and seek your perfect will for our lives. Amen.

What ultimately destroyed the evil empires of Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia were bankrupt dogmas. Crackpot ideology destroyed free expression. It ruined meritocracy and ensured unequal application of the laws -- and so paved the way for far worse. The Nazi idea of a superior Aryan race adjudicated everything from physics to tank design. Soviet commissars did the same, subordinating rational thought to communist agendas...

I've never been a big sports fan, but Cincinnati is my hometown. I grew up across the river in Kentucky and my first real job was in concessions at Riverfront Stadium as a teen. It's hard not to get nostalgic about the Bengals even if playing for my high school marching band at Friday night football games was about as close to being a football fan as I ever got. Seeing enthusiastic posts of "Who-Dey!" all over my social media feeds takes me back...

It is funny that many people don't understand how the organ transplant system works. When a person gets put on the waiting list, it is because they have a high chance to survive the transplant operation and recovery period. If a person does not have a high chance of survival they are turned down, this is because organs are a rare commodity. ...

In late January 1902, crews of men showed up in the little town of Thebes, Illinois, 9 miles south of Cape Girardeau on the east bank of the Mississippi River to begin building a bridge that would have an enormous impact on the region. Thebes, first known as Sparhawk Landing, briefly served as the county seat for Alexander County and by the late 19th century, the Chicago and Eastern Illinois (C&EI) railroad had located a major terminal at Thebes. ...

Soap. Shampoo. Deodorant. Most children never have to worry where these items come from. They just open the cabinet, and they're there. For others, toothpaste and mouthwash can be hard to come by if their parents are forced to make tough decisions about what they can and can't afford...

Carolyn Lea Hecht, 82, of Cape Girardeau died peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, at her daughter’s home in Marble Hill, Missouri. She was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, Sept. 25, 1939, to Inscoe Byrl and Cleda Evelyn King Jarrett. After the family moved through several small towns in Southern Illinois, they settled in Princeton, Indiana, where Lea graduated from high school in 1957. She then went to all-female William Woods Junior College. After becoming the first female to take a class at Westminster Junior College, she graduated from William Woods with an associate of arts in 1959. Moving to the University of Missouri, she fell in love with singing in the University Singers and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1961. Lea then taught fourth grade at Grandview Elementary School for two years, during which she met Harvey Hecht, whom she married on Aug. 4, 1962. Moving to Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1963, where Harvey was pursuing graduate work, she taught in various schools before the birth of their son, Matthew Gregory, May 29, 1966, and their daughter, Laura Michelle, Feb. 22, 1969. After the family moved to Cape Girardeau in the fall of 1969, Lea spent years in Cub Scout and Girl Scout work, served as director of preschool at Westminster Presbyterian Church. She completed a master’s degree in English at the University of Tennessee and became an instructor at Southeast Missouri State University. During her 32 years there, she taught composition and literature, but most of her work was in the Writing Center, where she tirelessly worked with students ranging from freshmen to graduate students, including a future department chair at Southeast. She was an original member of the group of scorers for the Writing Proficiency Exam. For several years she scored writing samples for the College Board SAT exams in Princeton, New Jersey, occasionally catching a play at the New York theaters nearby. One of her greatest experiences was living in London and traveling throughout Europe while Harvey taught in the Missouri London Program two different semesters. Matt and Laura were able to join them for a month. Lea enjoyed all sorts of games, board and card, but was happiest at a bridge table. A big baseball fan, she and Harvey made frequent trips to Kansas City and St Louis to see the Royals and Cardinals play. In football, she cheered for the universities of Missouri and Tennessee. She helped organize Southeast’s English faculty’s caroling students between classes during final exam week. Lea convinced Harvey to join her in several choirs, most recently at First Presbyterian and Southeast Missouri State’s Choral Union, before physical problems forced her to quit. With a Choral Union tour, she sang in Rome, Venice, Vienna and a Sunday service at The Duomo in Florence. With other choral groups, she and Harvey sang at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and at the National Fourth of July Celebration. Summer frequently found her and Harvey in their beloved Maine. For the last few years in the fall, they spent a month enjoying the beautiful beach at Okaloosa Island, Florida, with friends and family. In retirement, she and Harvey enjoyed several cruises. Favorite stops were Paris, Monet’s Garden, Normandy, Omaha Beach, Santorini, Malta, Mykonos and the Acropolis. She is survived by Harvey; a son, Matthew Gregory (a twin with John Carl) Hecht; a daughter, Laura Michelle Emmons; three grandsons, Troy Emmons, Adam Brown and Justin Brown; granddaughter, Abigail Emmons; great-grandson, Landon Brown; great-granddaughter, Reagan Brown; and numerous nephews and nieces. Lea was preceded in death by her parents and a son, John Carl Hecht. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. Ellen Gurnon officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to First Presbyterian Church of Cape Girardeau, Westminster Presbyterian Church of Cape Girardeau or the Southeast Cancer Center. Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

St. Vincent De Paul School A Honor Roll 4th grade: Rory Arnold, Kinsley Cattoor, Luke Dallas, Layla Garretson, Laurel Gast, Jack Hussman, Colten Kiefer, Aunna Kirn, Geno Magsaysay, Jackson Miller, Reece Miller, Kate Mills, Xander Otten, Zetta Prasanphanich, Nicholas Reynolds, Gavin Stiegemeyer, Elliot Vinyard, Owen Bahr , Landen Boyer, Easton Debrock, Kase Doyen, Jack Herndon, Layla Joggerst, Makenzie Johnston...